There are some but, my, anyone coming to Southern Ontario expecting a physically attractive place with access to the outdoors is in for a shock. On the weekend afternoons we drive across highway 9 from Schomberg and down the 404, that's a depressing trip; just west of Yonge there's a sea of mud with grading machines over which, to the south, one can see the current limit of box housing. Driving along there gives me the Edward Abbeys.
Coming down the 404 there's another sea of mud around the AllState building, presumably to be the site of more squalid housing or commerce. Even the horses, at highway 9 and Jane, are squished into cramped conditions like the commuters. All this ugliness and they haven't yet extended the 404. The only merit of the GTA is the ability of people to have a big basement for the big screen TV, if only there was something to watch.

...and, of course, to own horses, if that's your bag.

To own things in general. Moving to Toronto from Europe is about trading the abstract for the tangible; one gives up beauty and culture and one acquires things. It's good for Philistines, innit?

Yes that's about right. But "things" includes airline tickets. I spend about 6 weeks a year in Europe.

And children. My children spend about 6 weeks a year in Europe. And "exes". My "ex" spends ......

[QUOTE=Novocastrian]Absolutely. I love the McMichael gallery....just to visit the G7 paintings and after to walk the doggie through the grounds.

Who's your favourite among the group, SQ?[/QUOTE

I was there with my folks (visting from England) on Monday. Couldn't really pick a clear favourite as yet as I'm only getting to know them, but some of Carmichaels work was stunning, and I liked some of Lismers little paintings too. TT obviously too, and having been to Algonquin and heard all the legends about his death, it made it all quite interesting!

I was also knocked out by the current Norval Morriseau exhibition on the top floor. In my ignorance I'd never heard of him but it really grew on me.

My folks were very imperssed with the place too, which was great as we'd had a rather un-edifying visit into the city on Thursday (Littly Italy dirty and all closed up - great disappointment; the AGO half closed; getting lost somewhere north of the beach and going through a very dodgy neighborhood (up Coxwell st?) - nothing that gave any impression that this was in fact a vibrant city, in fact quite the opposite ) I found myself feeling rather embarrassed and not a little worried about the place myself! So it was nice to end on a good note!

SQ

Harris and Thompson stand out for me. Glad your folks enjoyed it too.

Did you see the Warhol exhibit at AGO? Nice enough if a teensy little bit pretentious in terms of the curation I thought.

Wandering around Coxwell put you far too close to dbd's haunts. No wonder you were embarrassed.

Not quite my parents' cup of tea

SQ

You could have sat them down to watch the 8-hour long single take movie of the Empire State Building while you took in the rest of the exhibition.